VI. Resources for Teaching Science

Conic Sections in Science

The celestial equator is a _____________ projection into space of the Earth’s equator. Astronomers use the celestial equator to reference the position of stars and other celestial objects. (circle)

If a source of sound is placed at one focus of an _________ room, the sound converges on the other focus. For this reason, concert halls do not have this shape. (ellipse)

Loran is an acronym for Long Range Navigation, a technology developed during World War 2 to identify the location of ships at sea. Two transmitters (a1, A2) beam radio signals from fixed points at land. Upon analyzing the time difference required to receive the two signals, the onboard Loran device determines the specific __________ curve that it is on (figure xx). This process can be repeated with a different set of transmitters (B1, B2), and the intersection of the resulting curves can be used to identify the boat’s specific location. (hyperbola)

The “high beam” lamp in an automobile headlight is placed at the focus of a ___________ reflecting surface, such that the emanating light reflects off the curved surface and leaves in parallel rays, lighting the distant road. (parabola)

The Moon orbits with the Earth in an __________ path such that the earth is at one focus. (elipse)

The International Space Station and other artificial satellites travel in ___________ orbits with the Earth is at one focus. (elipse)

A free-throw in basketball, a line-drive hit in baseball, or a pass in football all follow a ____________ path (neglecting air friction). (parabola).

A returning comet follows this highly eccentric __________ path with the Sun at one focus. As the comet approaches the Sun, solar winds (high energy particles from the Sun) lengthen the tale of the comet, and sunlight illuminates it, making it long and visible. As it approaches the other focus deep in the Solar System, the tale shrinks and it becomes invisible to us on Earth because it receives much less illumination. (elliptical)

Water from a hose, sprinkler, drinking fountain, or decorative fountain travels in a ____________. (parabola)

Sportscasters will listen to the comments made by coaches or players by using microphones placed at the focus of sound-reflecting ___________ surface. This surface concentrates the sound so that distant conversations and noises can be easily heard. (parabola)

The Le Four Solaire et Font-Romeur is a giant 8-story high _________ reflector in the mountains of France. It is made of 8000 mirrors arranged so that the light reflects at one focus, and can generate temperatures up to 6000 degrees Fahrenheit from light reflected from the Sun. (parabola).

To create a weightless condition, NASA flies aircraft in an upward ________ trajectory. Using this technique, astronauts can train in a weightless world for approximately 30 seconds at a time.

The light cast on a wall, above and below a lampshade forms a ___________ .

Three lobed ___________ cylinders are used to concentrate light at a common focus.

In the absence of gravity, bubbles, water droplets, and flames assume a __________ shape.

Although the Earth appears spherical, it is actually more nearly an ____________. The flattening of the ellipse for the Earth is only about one part in three hundred; but it is sufficient to become a necessary part of calculations in plotting accurate maps at a scale of 1:100,000 or larger.

When a rock is thrown in a pond it generates ____________ surface waves.

The surface waves from an Earthquake expand in a _____________ fashion.

The ______________ ball and socket joint is approximately allows for rotary motion (figure xx). (spherical)

The __________ radiocarpal joint (figure xx) in the wrist allow front-back movement along the short axis, but limited movement along the long axis. (elliptical)

The curve of cables in a suspension bridge form a _______. (parabola)

When two rocks are dropped in the water at the same time, they create radiating rings. When the peak of one wave hits the peak of another, the wave doubles in height, but when the peak of one hits the trough of another, the waves cancel. These patterns of constructive and destructive interference form a __________ (figure xx).

Microwave antennae are _________ and therefore can collect and concentrated signals at the focus. (parabolic).

The heating element of a radiant heater is placed at the focus of a __________ such that the infrared rays will project evenly and warm the room. (parabola).